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Experienced Officer Process

The VicPD Recruitment and Selection practices ensure we use and maintain a consistent recruitment and selection process. These practices comply with general employment legislation such as: Collective Agreements; Workers Compensation Act; Provincial Human Rights Code; and the Employment Standards Act.

Eligibility

To be eligible as an Exemption (experienced) candidate, an applicant must:

Be a current serving Regular member of a Canadian police force whose training and standards are equivalent to those of a B.C. Municipal police force,

Previous Police Experience: 1 year minimum, 3 years preferred after graduation from police recruit training program , and

Possess knowledge skills and experience at least equivalent to that of the British Columbia Peace Officer’s Basic training program.

The process:

The time-frame for reply to your application will vary depending on a wide range of factors. Please note, VicPD Human Resources responds to all cover letters and resumes submitted. All submissions will be reviewed accordingly and you will be advised in due time.

1- Submission of Letter of Interest and Resume

All potential applicants are asked to access the recruiting@vicpd.ca email address and attach their covering letters and resumes. It is important that the cover letter demonstrates how you meet our basic requirements and why you are applying to the Victoria Police Department. Please provide your complete address, with postal code, and your valid email address. All cover letters and resumes will be reviewed and one of the two following decisions will be made:

i) You will be invited to a screening interview,

ii). You will receive a letter indicating that you are not a competitive applicant at this time.

The interview is conducted by the Recruiting Sergeant. This interview is based on all of the information that the applicant has provided. This interview focuses on general suitability, life experience, integrity and assesses the next step in your hiring process.

The POPAT is a demanding, anaerobic physical test which must be completed in under 4 minutes and 15 seconds. The POPAT results are valid for 12 months. Applicants DO NOT require an invitation from the Recruiting Section to take this test.

Applicants who advance to this stage will be invited to an interview with a panel of police officers with varying ranks (constable, Sergeant and Staff Sergeant) and jobs within the organization. This behavioral-based interview focuses on the life skills, experience and abilities of the applicant.

7- Psychological Testing

You will be required to attend an identified Victoria Police selected psychologist office for an interview and written testing.

8- Polygraph Test

This is a continuation of the Lifestyle Integrity Questionnaire. It is administered by a trained, professional qualified in the use of a polygraph.

9- Human Resource Managers Interview

Applicants who have been identified to advance to this stage will be invited and provided with a date to attend an interview with the Human Resources Division Staff Sergeant and Manager.

10- Occupational Health Assessment

Conducted at Victoria Police Department’s expense, you will attend a health assessment company to ensure you are able to carry out the occupational requirements of the job as a constable. Successful completion of the health assessment and background investigation will lead to an offer of employment*

11- Background Investigation

An extensive background investigation is conducted with regards to references submitted and others. A police officer from the Human Resources Division contacts friends, family members, past and present employers and neighbors, and validates the candidates resume.

12-Inspector’s Interview

Applicants who have been identified to advance to this stage will be invited and provided with a date to attend an interview with the Human Resources Division Inspector.

13- Offer of Employment

The Chief Constable presents the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board with information on applicants that are being recommended for employment with the Victoria Police. The Victoria and esquimalt police board will make the final decision on offer of employment.

* Offer of employment is based on successful completion of both a background investigation and a medical examination.

*Members serving on a B.C. Municipal police force (who were trained at the Justice Institute of British Columbia), or members of the RCMP who have spent a minimum of two years serving in BC, are not required to write the exemption exam.

Human Resources Division will contact the applicant to arrange the necessary appointments. Wherever possible, appointments will be booked in such a way as to minimize travel for out-of-town applicants. However, applicants from out of town should expect to make at least two trips to Victoria.

A complete application MUST include:

Certificates verifying basic police training

All Certificates of police related training

Two letters from present or previous supervisors indicating abilities as a police officer

Performance appraisals for the last three years, longer if possible

Three examples of police investigations conducted, impaired driving, break and enter, etc. The three examples should deal with a range of investigations (i.e. not all impaired driving)

Exemption Exam:

This exam is:

Two hours in length

Multiple choice in nature

Straightforward, with little emphasis on memorization

The Department will loan a Recruit Training Manual to the candidate for the purpose of studying for the written Provincial Exemption Exam.

The candidate must have the study material for a minimum of six weeks before the exemption exam is written.

Upon successful completion of the examination, the Victoria Police Department will continue with the exemption hiring process. The exemption exam can be written at the Victoria Police Department or at the experienced candidate’s home department under the supervision of a sponsor.

Pension issues:

Some pension plans are transferable to the BC Superannuation plan.

Successful completion of the Exemption process is not a guarantee of employment with the Victoria Police Department.